Sociological research methods

Future Changes in Society Social Structure and interaction The social structure in the United States has been changing rapidly in recent decades. Currently. there are more possible statuses for persons to occupy and roles to play than at any other time in history. Although achieved statuses are considered very important. ascribed statuses still have a Significant effect on the options and opportunities that …

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The Humphreys Research Laud Humphreys (1970), then a sociology graduate student. decided to study homosexual conduct as a topic for his doctoral dissertation. His research focused 011 homosexual acts between strangers meeting in “tearooms,” public restrooms in parks. He did not ask permission of his subjects, nor did he inform them that they were being studied. Instead. Humphreys showed up at public …

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The Zellner Research Sociologist William Zellner (1978) sought to interview the family, friends. and acquaintances of persons killed in single-car crashes that he thought might have been “autocides,” Zellner wondered if some automobile “accidents” were actually suicides-instances in which the individual wished to protect other people and perhaps make it easier for them to collect insurance benefit  IS that might not be …

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Multiple Methods: Triangulation  What is the best method for studying a particular topic? How can we get accurate answers to questions about suicide and other important social concerns? The Concept Quick Review compares the various social research methods. There is no one best research method because of the “complexity of social reality and the limitations of all research methodologies’ (Snow and Anderson, …

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The ASA Code of Ethics The American Sociological Association (ASA) Code of Ethics (1997) sets forth certain basic standards that sociologists must follow in conducting research: 1. Researchers must endeavor to maintain objectivity and integrity in their research by disclosing their research findings in full and including all possible interpretations of the data (even those interpretations that do not support …

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His name was Josh Evans. He was 16 years old. And he was hot. “Mom! Mom! Mom! Look at him!”Tina Meier recalls her daughter saying. Josh had contacted Megan Meier through her MySpace page and wanted to be added as a friend. “(es, he’s cute.Tina Meier told her daughter. “Do you know who he is?” “No, but look at him a of Please, please, …

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Why Is Sociological Research Necessary? Sociologists obtain their knowledge of human behavior through research, which results in a body of inforrnation that helps us move beyond guesswork and common sense in understanding society. The sociological perspective incorporates theory and research to arrive at a more accurate understanding of the: “hows” and “whys” of human social interaction. Once we have an informed perspective about …

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Common Sense and Sociological Research Most of us have commonsense ideas about suicide. Common sense, for example, may tell us that people who threaten suicide will not commit suicide. Sociological research indicates that this assumption is frequently incorrect: People who threaten to kill themselves are often sending messages to others and may indeed attempt suicide. Common sense allay also Te us that …

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Sociology and Scientific Evidence Taking this course. you will be studying social science research and may be asked to write research reports or read and evaluate journal articles. If you tend graduate or professional school in fields sat use sociological research. you will be expected so evaluate existing research and perhaps do your own. Hopefully. you will find that social research …

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The Theory and Research Cycle The relationship between theory and research has been referred to as a continuous cycle. (Wallace. 1971). You will recall that a theory is a set logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe. explain, and (occasionally) predict social events. A theory attempts to explain why something is the way it is. Research is the process of …

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